Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area
Georges River National Park
Overview
Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area in Georges River National Park is ideal for a barbecue picnic by the river as well as fishing, walking, kayaking or boating.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Accessibility
- Easy
- Entry fees
- Park entry fees apply
- Opening times
Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area is open between 7am-7.30pm daily.
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching.
Close to Hurstville, Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area is a fun and relaxed grassy picnic area popular with all ages, but especially families with young children. There’s plenty of room for the kids to run around, along with a lot for adults to enjoy too.
A parking area just a gentle 150m stroll away makes it easy to load up the car for a day in the sun. The picnic area is set alongside the river, so you can even bring your fishing gear, pull up by boat, or enjoy kayaking.
Settle in, relax and enjoy a riverside picnic as you watch the boats go by. You’ll be surrounded by majestic gorge scenery in a setting of tall open eucalypt forest, featuring smooth-barked apples, red bloodwoods and Sydney peppermint.
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area can be reached by following Ridge walking track. The track offers spectacular scenic views of the river and gorge hillsides.
Take a virtual tour of Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area captured with Google Street View Trekker.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/cattle-duffers-flat-picnic-area/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Georges River National Park in the Sydney and surrounds region
Georges River National Park is open from 6am to 7.30pm during daylight savings (6am – 6.30pm at other times) but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
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Park entry fees:
$8 per vehicle per day. The park has coin-operated pay machines at the gate. Please bring correct coins, as no change is given. You can also pay for your visit via the Park’nPay app.
Buy annual pass.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area is located upstream of the main visitor area of Georges River National Park. To get there:
- From Sutherland, head west on River Road, then turn right onto Alfords Point Road and turn left onto Henry Lawson Drive. The park entry is approximately 1.5km on the left.
- From Liverpool, head east along the M5 motorway and continue for approximately 5.5km. Turn left towards the river at Carinya Road and follow the road along the river until you reach the park.
- From Sydney, follow the M5 motorway westbound, turn left onto Davis Road then right onto Henry Lawson Drive. Continue for approximately 1.5km and then turn left into the park entrance.
Road quality
- Sealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at the end of Burrawang Reach Road – approximately 150m walk from Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area. Burrawang Reach is a busy place on the weekend, so parking might be limited.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Georges River National Park. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
The park comes alive during spring, with wonderful wildflowers and abundant wildlife – try the Yeramba Lagoon walk.
Summer
Take to the water in your canoe, kayak or jetski, or strap on your waterskis for hours of fun along the Georges River The summer holiday information has important tips to help you plan your day to Georges River National Park during the busy holiday period .
Winter
Fishermen take note – this is a great time of year to head to the rich fishing grounds along the Georges River to catch yellow-finned bream.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
18°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
42°C
Winter temperature
Average
7°C and 17°C
Lowest recorded
-0.6°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
March
Driest month
September
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
254.5mm
Facilities
You're encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Toilets
- Non-flush toilets
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - easy
- This area is fully wheelchair-accessible
Permitted
Fishing
A current NSW recreational fishing licence is required when fishing in all waters.
Prohibited
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Wood fires are not permitted.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Cattle Duffers Flat picnic area is in Georges River National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Ancient waterways
Georges River National Park is the traditional Country of the Dharug and Dharawal People and evidence of their long connection to this land, including shell middens, rock art and engravings, is evident throughout the park. The Georges River was an important transport route for Aboriginal people, linking Botany Bay to the inland areas. The park continues to be an important place for Aboriginal people today.
Free as a bird
The fact that over a hundred different bird species make the Yeramba Lagoon and its surrounds their home is reason enough for many a birder to visit Georges River National Park. Even if you're not a twitcher it's hard not to be impressed by the list of winged wonders that reside here; from endangered pink robins and powerful owls to superb fairy wrens with vivid blue feathers or the more commonly sighted laughing kookaburra. There's also a great diversity of plant life around the lagoon, including impressive displays of banksia flowers.
- Ridge walking track Enjoy scenic views of the river along Ridge walking track - a short walk from Burrawang Beach to Cattle Duffers picnic area in Georges River National Park.
- Yeramba Lagoon loop track Georges River National Park is an easy daytrip from Sydney. Birdwatchers love the Yeramba Lagoon loop track – a short track with scenic views and lots of birdlife.
Riverside delight
The calm waters of Georges River offer a range of activities for visitors; including waterskiing, jetskiing and kayaking. Launch your boat at Morgans Creek, or head to Mill Creek if you have a canoe or kayak. The waters of Georges River are rich fishing grounds for keen anglers and there are lots of spots along the river to try your luck.
- Burrawang Reach picnic area Burrawang Reach picnic area is a popular spot for a picnic or barbecue. Set on the sandy shores of George’s River, you can fish and paddle nearby.
- Fitzpatrick Park Fitzpatrick Park picnic area at Picnic Point is a great place for a family barbecue not far from Sydney. Enjoy a barbecue, go fishing or enjoy a spot of paddling.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Peron's tree frog (Litoria peroni)
Peron’s tree frog is found right across NSW. These tree-climbing and ground-dwelling Australian animals can quickly change colour, ranging from pale green-grey by day, to a reddish brown with emerald green flecks at night. The male frog has a drill-like call, which has been described as a 'maniacal cackle’.
Plants
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Smooth-barked apple (Angophora costata)
Smooth-barked apple gums, also known as Sydney red gum or rusty gum trees, are Australian native plants found along the NSW coast, and in the Sydney basin and parts of Queensland. Growing to heights of 15-30m, the russet-coloured angophoras shed their bark in spring to reveal spectacular new salmon-coloured bark.
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Black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis)
The black sheoak is one of a number of casuarina species found across the east coast of Australia and nearby tablelands. Growing to a height of 5-15m, these hardy Australian native plants can survive in poor or sandy soils. The barrel-shaped cone of the black sheoak grows to 10-30mm long.
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Flannel flower (Actinotus helianthi)
The delicate flannel flower is so named because of the soft woolly feel of the plant. Growing in the NSW south coast region, extending to Narrabri in the Central West and up to south-east Queensland, its white or pink flowers bloom all year long, with an extra burst of colour in the spring.